The authorities of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife Thursday said Monica Osagie was the student involved in a sex-for-marks scandal that has sorely questioned the morality of university dons, in the training of young Nigerians. Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), said Monica Osetobe Osagie was studying for a Masters in Business Administration. He also announced the suspension of Prof. Richard Akindele, the don involved in the salacious scandal. Read more

The People’s Democratic Party says it is working with former Presidents and political leaders in the country to install a new President in Nigeria in 2019. Already, it said discussions had gone far among the former leaders of the country and others, on how to rescue the country from the hands of the present leaders. The National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, gave this information while speaking at the opening ceremony of the party’s National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday. Read more

APC to hold convention May 14 (Guardian)

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is to hold its National Convention on Monday 14 of next month. In a statement by the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, the party’s ward congresses is to hold on Wednesday May 2, 2018; while the local government congresses are to hold on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Izunaso also said the state congresses have been fixed for Wednesday, May 9, 2018. Read more

Sanusi orders probe into immorality at Kano viewing centre (Punch)

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi (II), has directed the Kano State Hisbah Board to investigate the alleged immorality by youths of Badawa, Kawo, Sauna and Haye in the Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State at a football viewing centre. The residents of the areas had complained to the monarch that the viewing centre, which was opened by one Anwulu Sankara, had become “a platform for immoral and criminal acts.” The residents, led by one Mohammed A-Hassan, further alleged that the sale and consumption of illegal substances, is also prevalent at the centre. While earlier addressing the crowd, the Emir directed the Hisbah Board to investigate the allegations and bring the culprits to book. Read more

The looming war in Lagos (Vanguard)

His predecessor, Babatunde Fashola had set a mark in urban renewal that few expected him to match. However, after nearly three years as governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode seems to have set new heights in governance that few expected little challenge to a second term. Hence the surprise at the preemptive move by his associates to tackle the opposition. The men and women who gathered last Sunday at a discreet Ikeja GRA residence of a top Lagos politician tried much to dismiss insinuations of a panic. There should not be in a panic given that the men comprised a significant proportion of the elected political office holders in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC from Lagos State. Read more

EIB, AfDB to strengthen Nigeria’s agric lending with $70m (SUN)

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have agreed to support the creation of new Development Bank of Nigeria to strengthen lending for business and agriculture investment in the country with $70 million. This was contained in a statement released to journalists at the ongoing 2018 Spring Meetings in Washington DC, by EIB and AfDB. The EIB has finalised a $20 million equity stake in the new financing institution, alongside $50 million equity participation from AfDB. At present, new investment essential for companies to expand and create jobs is hindered by limited access to commercial banks. The DBN estimates that only 5 per cent of the 37 million entrepreneurs and small businesses in Nigeria that contribute about 50 per cent of GDP can access credit in the financial system. Read more

NEMA: Suspension of 6 directors by Osinbajo board in order — HOS (Vanguard)

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita yesterday said the suspension of six directors by the Board of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was in order. Also, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu said the agency recommended the suspension of the affected officers in order to allow detectives unfettered access to vital documents. The two officers made the clarifications while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster preparedness investigating the activities of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Read more

When Ekiti shut down for Fayemi (SUN)

Saturday April 14 was an unusual day in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. It was the day thousands of Ekiti indigenes, mostly members of the All Progressives Conference (APC), thronged the premises of St Michael’s Primary School, Ajilosun in their numbers. The school compound was the venue of a rally hosted by the former governor of the state and the current Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi, to declare his intention to fly the party’s flag at the state governorship election later this year. It was one day that would remain in the minds of Ekiti residents for long. The entire capital was virtually shut down. Traffic along the popular Ikere-Road, which runs from Ijigbo Roundabout to the neighbouring Ikere-Ekiti community, was at a standstill for many hours. Read more

The Court of Appeal sitting in Ado Ekiti thursday upheld the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to challenge the judgment of Justice Taiwo. O Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti which unfroze the account of Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State in Zenith Bank. Upon the judgment of the lower court, the governor had withdrawn the sum of N5million from the account. But Justice J. S. Ikeyegha who read the judgment, ordered the freezing of the account forthwith. Read more

‘When Lagos stepped up tourism promotion with MICE agenda (Tribune)

The recently concluded Lagos Tourism Summit, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos was a big statement in the anal of the Lagos State, with different papers and panel discussion centered on the theme; Destination Lagos; Towards a Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy. However speakers, panelists and stakeholders at the venue have called for sincerity of purpose in using the outcome of the summit to build a robust and sustaining people-driving tourism industry to further grew the state economy. Read more

The one-day event in Lagos marked its fifth year with a new stage, a growing global reach, sold-out food vendors and a host of memorable moments. Alongside pulsating performances by Wizkid, 2baba, Adekunle Gold, Brymo, Aye, Ycee and Dj Spinall, Gidi fest 5 succeeded in providing a platform for local Nigerian artistes with the introduction of the Next Gen stage. 20-year-old Tay Iwar shone through as a breaking act on the main stage, demonstrating the festival’s impressive spread of artists and a strong receptive crowd. 2Face’s amazing show also resonated with the young Nigerian audience – a testament to his legendary status and catalogue of timeless classics. Read more

The Offa robbery attacks (SUN)

The general insecurity in the country has, once again, been exposed by the recent heinous robbery attacks on five banks in Offa, Kwara State. The April 5 robbery left 17 people dead and scores of others seriously wounded. But eyewitness account said that the casualty figure could even be higher than the official figure. The victims, according to the State Commissioner of Police, Lawan Ado, included nine police officers and eight civilians. The heavily armed robbers carted away millions of naira in the robbery attack that lasted for over an hour without any challenge from security agents. The robbers reportedly came in a convoy of about ten vehicles, which were loaded with explosives and other dangerous weapons used in the attacks. Read more

Gunmen abduct Catholic Priest in Edo (ThisDay)

Following the reported kidnap of a Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Edwin Omorogbe, by gunmen suspected to be kidnapper, men of the Edo State Police Command thursday began combing of forest in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State in search of him. Fr. Omorogbe was said to have been abducted at Egba junction, along Benin-Ekpoma highway situated in the locality last Wednesday evening while returning from Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state. Edo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, who confirmed the development, said all efforts are in top gear to secure the release of the reverend father. Read more

SWAN lauds Katsina for upgrading Muhammad Dikko Stadium (Nation)

The Katsina State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria ( SWAN ) has commended the state government for upgrading the Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina. A statement by the association’s Secretary, Muawiyya Garba on Thursday in Katsina lauded the government for modernizing the athletics’ tracks to international standard. Garba said that the upgrade had placed the state in a position to host national and international athletics competitions. The Katsina SWAN secretary also said that the current step rehabilitation of Funtua and Malumfashi stadiums would promote grassroots sports. He added that the upgrade may be responsible for the good outing of Katsina United Football Club, which currently occupies fourth position in the ongoing Nigeria Premier League. Read more

Victor Moses keeps Chelsea’s Champions League hope alive (ThisDay)

Victor Moses struck the winning goal for Chelsea in the 69th minute last night as the Blues picked three away points off Burnley 2-1 to keep their UEFA Champions League alive. Kevin Long’s own goal set Antonio Conte’s men on their way in the first half, but Ashley Barnes deflected Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s wayward shot to give the hosts hope of earning a point at Turf Moor. Moses’ right-footed shot into the bottom corner proved decisive and ensured the Blues, who trailed fourth-placed Tottenham by 10 points last week, narrowed the gap to five points. Read more

Coutinho, Jesus to shine at World Cup, says Neymar (Xinhuanet)

Neymar has predicted that Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho and Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus will be Brazil’s shining lights during the World Cup in Russia. In an interview published by Brazilian news service Globo Esporte on Thursday, the 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Brazil forward also identified Egyptian attacker Mohamed Salah and Uruguay striker Luis Suarez among players to watch in the tuornament which runs from June 14-July 15. “There are many players with a lot of quality because it’s a World Cup and the best in the world will be there,” Neymar said after being asked to forecast the World Cup’s most influential players, excluding himself, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Read more

Wenger backs Vieira as future Arsenal boss (sport.bt)

Arsene Wenger believes former Arsenal favourite Patrick Vieira has the potential to manage the club in the future. Reports on Thursday claimed the 41-year-old New York City boss has been lined up to replace Wenger should he depart the Emirates Stadium this summer. Vieira enjoyed a glittering nine-year stint at Arsenal during the peak of his career, lifting three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, as well as captaining Wenger’s side throughout their unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ season of 2003/04. Read more

North Korea drops demand for US troop withdrawal from South in boost for talks (Telegraph)

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has reportedly dropped his demand that US troops leave the Korean Peninsula in return for giving up his nuclear weapons, potentially removing one of the biggest obstacles to a peace deal. The US has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea, which has long been a thorny issue with the North Koreans and used by Pyongyang as a justification for building its nuclear programme as a deterrent. However, on Thursday, South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who will meet with Mr Kim at a summit next Friday, said the reclusive leader was now willing to give up the troops’ removal as a precondition for denuclearisation. Read more

The US president, Donald Trump, told former FBI director James Comey he had serious concerns about the judgment of his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, according to memos maintained by Comey. The 15 pages of documents contain new details about a series of interactions between Comey and Trump in the weeks before Comey’s May 2017 firing. In one of those encounters, a private Oval Office discussion, the former FBI head has claimed the president asked him to end an investigation into Flynn. Read more

Some 50 members of migrant caravan reach Mexico, U.S. border (Reuters)

A group of 50 Central American migrants who set out from southern Mexico in late March have reached the U.S. border, having endured the long journey despite threats by President Donald Trump to secure the border with National Guard personnel. Since peaking at around 1,500 people, the so-called migrant “caravan” has dwindled under pressure from Trump and Mexican migration authorities, who vowed to separate those migrants with a right to stay in Mexico from those who did not. Some of those migrants began arriving in the Mexican border city of Tijuana on Wednesday and have requested asylum in the United States. Read more